Angling has received a major boost with the launch of the Fisheries Accreditation Scheme, a major new initiative aimed at driving upwards the competence of fisheries managers and improving the management of fish in recreational fisheries.
The scheme is a joint venture by the Institute of Fisheries Management, the Angling Foundation and the Professional Coarse Fisheries Association, supported by the Environment Agency. Fisheries will be invited to become inspected by qualified IFM professional members using the Institute’s ‘codes of practice’ as a baseline for the standards that will be assessed. If successful, the fishery will be issued with a certificate �” at gold, silver or bronze level – and will be entitled to publicise the accreditation under a two-year licence agreement.
The media launch at Portcullis House, opposite the Houses of Parliament, was hosted by Martin Salter MP, Labour’s Parliamentary spokesman for Angling. He was joined by speakers from the Institute of Fisheries Management, the Angling Foundation, the Environment Agency, the Professional Coarse Fisheries Association and the Fisheries & Angling Conservation Trust.
This was followed by the public launch and workshop meeting, held in Nottingham, at which fishery owners and tenants joined in discussions on the Scheme and the IFM’s Biosecurity Code of Conduct.
Initially, the Fisheries Accreditation Scheme is restricted to coarse fisheries, although there are plans to extend it to stillwater trout fisheries in future. Full details and application forms are available from:-
Suraj Roopra, Fisheries Accreditation Scheme, Federation House, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Warks, CV8 2RF. Tel: 02476 414999; Fax: 02476 414999; Email: suraj@sportsandplay.com; Website: www.fisheriesaccreditation.co.uk
